Freezing injunctions, also known as freezing orders, are a powerful legal tool used to prevent the movement or disposal of assets during litigation. These court orders are often granted without notice and can apply to bank accounts, property, shares, or even digital assets such as cryptocurrency.
Whether you are applying for a freezing injunction or have been served with one, we can provide timely and experienced legal advice.
Our Expertise in Freezing Injunctions
At Eldwick Law, we advise both claimants and respondents in freezing injunction matters, including domestic and international cases.
We regularly assist with:
- Preparing and presenting urgent applications
- Responding to freezing injunctions served without notice
- Ensuring compliance with disclosure obligations
- Varying or discharging existing orders
- Securing carve outs for living, business, and legal expenses
- Protecting against reputational harm and financial disruption
For a comprehensive guide to freezing injunctions in the English courts, see our recent article.
What Is a Freezing Injunction?
A freezing injunction is a court order that temporarily restricts a party from dealing with their assets. Its purpose is to ensure that those assets remain available while a legal claim is pursued. The order can apply to assets held in England and Wales, or, in some cases, to assets held abroad under a worldwide freezing order.
To grant a freezing injunction, the court must be satisfied that:
- There is a serious issue to be tried;
- There is a real risk of asset dissipation; and
- It is just and convenient to grant the injunction.
Applicants must also give full and frank disclosure of all relevant facts and usually provide a cross-undertaking in damages.
Responding to a Freezing Order
If you are served with a freezing injunction, the impact can be immediate and far-reaching. You may be required to disclose your worldwide assets within a short timeframe and verify this by affidavit. Breaching a freezing order is a serious matter and can lead to contempt of court proceedings.
Our lawyers help clients understand their obligations under a freezing order, prepare detailed and compliant asset disclosures, apply to vary the terms of the injunction, and defend the underlying claim where necessary. We have significant experience advising on these matters and understand how stressful and disruptive the impact of a freezing injunction can be. We act to protect your rights and minimise disruption to your personal life or business operations.
Applying for a Freezing Injunction
We help clients determine whether a freezing injunction is the right course of action and whether it fits within a broader litigation strategy. These applications are time-sensitive and require careful planning, clear evidence, and a well-structured presentation to the court.
We assist claimants in obtaining freezing injunctions where there is a genuine risk that assets may be concealed or dissipated before a judgment can be enforced. These cases often involve fraud, breach of trust, misappropriation of company funds, crypto-related disputes, or cross-border enforcement issues. We guide clients through every stage of the process, from evidence gathering and preservation to preparing witness statements and presenting their case in court. We work alongside leading barristers and forensic experts to build strong, persuasive applications that give clients the best chance of securing relief.
Related Services
Freezing injunctions often form part of wider litigation or asset recovery strategies.
Our expertise extends to:
- Asset tracing and recovery
- Search orders
- Disclosure orders (Norwich Pharmacal, Bankers Trust)
- Interim and Permanent injunctions
- Criminal Restraint Orders
- Breach of confidence and misuse of confidential information